Golden Spike National Historical Park

Golden Spike National Historical Park commemorates the joining of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads at Promontory Summit in northern Utah. The site marks the completion of the first transcontinental railroad in the United States.

The park includes the exact rail grade where the ceremonial last spike was driven and an interpretive visitor centre with exhibits on 19th-century railroad construction. Replicas of the two locomotives involved in the 1869 ceremony are displayed and used for periodic demonstrations and anniversary events.

On May 10, 1869, crews from the two railroads drove the ceremonial spike that symbolised the physical linking of coast-to-coast rail service. The blacksmithing, construction techniques and national significance of that work are the central themes of the park’s interpretation.

Located at Promontory Summit on the Promontory Hills north of the Great Salt Lake in northern Utah, the park is in a sparsely populated high-desert landscape. It is northwest of the Ogden-Salt Lake City urban area and accessed by regional roads from northern Utah communities.

• Ceremonial completion date: The historic ceremony marking the completion of the first U.S. transcontinental railroad took place on May 10, 1869, at Promontory Summit.

What to See #

• Promontory Summit (golden spike site): The promontory where the ceremonial last spike was driven on May 10, 1869, marking the physical joining of the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads.
• Visitor Center and replica locomotives: Visitor centre and museum that interpret the 1869 completion of the first U.S. transcontinental railroad and display replica locomotives used in anniversary reenactments.